The Baltimore Ravens' 2025 draft class came in with plenty of promise - and while it didn’t deliver impact across the board, the top-end talent showed up in meaningful ways. With 11 picks last April, Baltimore went for volume and value. Now, with the season in the books, we’ve got a clearer picture of who stepped up, who’s still a work in progress, and who didn’t get a real shot due to injury or circumstance.
Let’s break down how the Ravens’ rookie class performed in their first year on the job.
Round 1, No. 27 overall - S Malaki Starks: B
Malaki Starks came into the league with high expectations, and while he didn’t completely set the world on fire, he showed why the Ravens used a first-round pick on him. The Georgia product started 15 of 17 games and played over 1,000 defensive snaps - a heavy workload for a rookie safety. He piled up 84 total tackles, including 49 solo, and added two interceptions and four passes defensed.
Those numbers put him in the top tier of Baltimore’s defense in both tackles and picks, which is no small feat for a first-year player. His coverage grade (64.9 per PFF) leaves room for growth, but the tools are there. He’s not quite in Kyle Hamilton’s orbit yet, but if he cleans up the coverage inconsistencies, he could be knocking on the Pro Bowl door sooner than later.
Round 2, No. 59 - EDGE Mike Green: C
Green’s rookie year was a tale of two halves. Early on, he looked like he was still adjusting to the speed and complexity of the NFL game.
But as the season wore on, he started to settle in. He finished with 713 snaps, 3.5 sacks, 19 pressures, and 14 QB hits - flashes of disruption, but not quite the consistent impact Baltimore was hoping for from a second-round edge rusher.
His 46.3 PFF grade reflects the growing pains, especially in run defense and play recognition. Still, there’s something to build on here. The Ravens have a strong track record of developing pass rushers, and Green could follow that path with a full offseason under his belt.
Round 3, No. 91 - OL Emery Jones Jr.: Incomplete
Jones Jr. didn’t get much of a chance to show what he could do. A shoulder injury limited him to just 48 snaps all season.
The Ravens liked his versatility coming out of college, and he’ll likely get another look in training camp. For now, the jury’s still out.
Round 4, No. 129 - LB Teddye Buchanan: B
This pick might end up being the steal of the class. Buchanan beat out Trenton Simpson - a 2023 third-rounder - for the starting weakside linebacker job and made the most of his opportunity.
Before a knee injury cut his season short in Week 15, Buchanan had racked up 91 tackles, a forced fumble, and a pass breakup. He was also named AFC Defensive Rookie of the Month in October.
His instincts, range, and physicality stood out, especially in coverage and pursuit. Losing him late in the year was a tough blow, but if he returns healthy, the Ravens may have found a long-term answer at WILL linebacker.
Round 5, No. 141 - OL Carson Vinson: Incomplete
Vinson saw just seven snaps as a rookie. He was always going to be a developmental project, and that timeline hasn’t changed. Expect the Ravens to keep him in the mix during the offseason to see if he can push for a backup role.
Round 6, No. 178 - DL Bilhal Kone: Incomplete
Kone’s season ended before it began. A torn ACL and MCL in August landed him on IR, and he’ll be rehabbing into the offseason. The Ravens liked his upside as an interior disruptor, so his recovery will be one to monitor.
Round 6, No. 186 - K Tyler Loop: B
Loop didn’t just earn the job - he held it down with veteran poise. Before a Week 18 miss, he was a perfect 29-for-29 on field goals inside 50 yards. He finished the year 30-of-34 overall, a rock-solid debut for a rookie kicker.
In a league where special teams can swing games, having a reliable leg like Loop’s is a quiet but crucial win for the Ravens. If he keeps this up, Baltimore won’t have to worry about the kicking game for years.
Round 6, No. 203 - WR/RET LaJohntay Wester: B-
Wester didn’t see the field much on offense - just 58 snaps without a single target - but he made his mark on special teams. He totaled 246 kick return yards and 198 punt return yards, finishing in the top 20 in punt return yardage league-wide.
He’s got the kind of shiftiness and burst that can flip field position in a heartbeat. Whether he earns a larger role in the offense will depend on how the new OC views his skill set, but at the very least, Wester has carved out a spot as a return specialist.
Round 6, No. 210 - DT Aeneas Peebles: Incomplete
Peebles saw limited action - just 71 snaps across six games - but managed three tackles and a pass deflection. He’s a high-motor player who could push for a rotational role with a strong offseason, but for now, it’s too early to make a definitive call.
Round 6, No. 212 - CB Robert Longerbeam: Incomplete
Another rookie season lost to injury. Longerbeam joined Kone on IR after a significant knee injury. He’ll aim to bounce back in 2026, but he remains an unknown at this point.
Round 7, No. 243 - OL Garrett Dellinger: Incomplete
Dellinger didn’t make the 53-man roster out of camp and was eventually picked up by the Browns. He’s no longer with the team, so his Ravens story ends before it really began.
Final Thoughts:
This draft class was exactly what it looked like on paper - top-heavy, with a few standouts and several players who didn’t get a chance to contribute due to injury or roster depth. Starks and Buchanan look like foundational pieces, while Loop quietly solidified a key role.
Green showed potential, even if the consistency wasn’t there yet. The rest?
Still to be determined.
If a couple more of these late-round picks hit in Year 2, this class could age very well. But for now, the early returns suggest a solid, if not spectacular, haul - one that gave the Ravens a few key contributors and left the door open for more growth down the line.